Summer, it’s the season of music festivals. A time music fans of every genre wait all year for. After months of anticipation, it’s only winter, but now is the time festival goers start getting excited as all the festivals start to announce their full lineups. One relatively new artist in the genre, and the biggest, will be featured…
The festival season is looking strong for the Reggae-Rock genre. The California Roots Music and Arts Festival lineup is stacked with talent, and the now complete lineup for Wakarusa has Reggae-Rock fans itching to get to Mulberry Mountain in Arkansas!
Over the past few years, reggae, and American Reggae-Rock has been a growing segment at festivals around the nation. During the 2012 festival season, Wakarusa was a big supporter of the genre with a lineup that included Slightly Stoopid, Matisyahu, G. Love and Special Sauce, SOJA, Iration, and Tribal Seeds.
Wakarusa has once again compiled a strong Reggae-Rock presence, even including the reggae act everyone is waiting to hear! Taking place May 30h through June 2nd in Ozark, AR, Wakarusa features over 100 bands on five stages over the four days. This year, the Reggae-Rock acts performing at the 10th annual Wakarusa Festival include, Snoop Lion, SOJA, Rebelution, J Boog,The Green, Anuhea, and Jon Wayne and the Pain!
This is an incredible billing, one that fans are sure to talk about. Obviously the big deal here is the announcement of Snoop Lion performing at an upcoming festival, but the premiere talent from this community alone is commendable from the Wakarusa talent buyers.
Only a few of his new songs have even been released. Will Reincarnated, Snoop Lion’s upcoming record, be released in time for the performance, or is this another point in the promotional timeline? Either way, it will be interesting to see this hip-hop superstar perform his reggae set on the big stage.
Besides Snoop Lion, after a stellar performance last year, SOJA is back for a second consecutive year in Arkansas. Santa Barabara, California’s Rebelution, with their trance like power to make crowds sway, and sing in unity, have been making their way around the festival circuit, and this year Rebelution too will be heading to Mulberry Mountain.
Wakarusa also has booked the smooth sounds of J Boog and The Green. Two acts who gained a lot of steam in 2012, and are sure not disappoint festival goers. Rounding out the reggae-rock section of the bill is the sweet sounds of, Anuhea, and the live reggaetronic dub of Jon Wayne and the Pain.
Besides the big headliners and the artist previously mentioned, there are several acts to look out for on this year’s Wakarusa bill. These acts that are not labeled as “Reggae-Rock” bands, but are acts which have worked with the genre over the years Be sure to catch Ozomatli, Slightly Stoopid’s unofficial eighth member, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Zion I and Moon Taxi.
If you can make it out to Arkansas this summer, Wakarusa is one festival this summer not to miss!
Article By: Aaron Solomon
Watch: SOJA – “Not Done Yet” Official Music Video
